Live blog recap: Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander loses no-hit bid with one out in ninth inning in 6-0 win against Pittsburgh Pirates

View full sizeAP PhotoJustin Verlander was two outs away from his third career no-hitter before it was broken up by the Pirates' Josh Harrison.

TIGERS 6, PIRATES 0, final

TOP 9th

9:32 p.m.: Verlander still gets the complete game, using only 109 pitches. He smiled and gave a little shrug when approached by the catcher Avila after the game. What a 12-strikeout performance, and for a night, even the disgruntled fans can probably manage a smile as well.9:20 p.m.: Harrison breaks up the no-hit bid, reaching to hit an off-speed into center field for the Pirates' first hit. The crowd at Comerica gives Verlander a great ovation.9:27 p.m.: Verlander gets Michael McKenry to ground out to Peralta at shortstop on a full-count pitch One out. Two outs away.BOT 8th

9:25 p.m.: Brad Lincoln somehow gave up back-to-back doubles to start the inning, and got out of it with a scoreless inning. On to Justin Verlander, who is three outs away from his third career no-hitter.TOP 8th

9:10 p.m.: Verlander in super-human mode right now, striking out the side after getting Clint Barmes to swing through some nasty pitches. He's three outs away from throwing a no-hitter.9:09 p.m.: Verlander blows away Nate McLouth for his 11th strikeout. Two out.9:07 p.m.: Verlander now has 10 strikeouts after getting Casey McGehee looking on three pitches.BOT 7th

9:02 p.m.: Everything is going right for the Tigers, as Young hits a two-run double to score Kelly and Fielder. Young homered earlier in the game and has driven in three runs.TOP 7th

8:53 p.m.: Verlander is filthy, striking out Garrett Jones looking to strand McCutchen on second base. Verlander now has nine strikeouts.8:51 p.m.: The Tigers get a base-runner, but the no-hit bid continues. Verlander issued his second walk of the game to McCutchen, ending a streak of 18 straight retired.8:48 p.m.: Walker struck out looking for the first out and argued with Bucknor afterward. Bucknor, already hurt by an earlier pitch he took near the neck, wasn't having any of it.BOT 6th

8:45 p.m.: Peralta had a two-out hit, but Morton gets out of it. Anyway, on to Verlander.TOP 6th

8:33 p.m.: Kelly makes a long run in center field to take away a potential hit from Josh Harrison. Verlander has a no-hitter through six. Tell your friends.BOT 5th

8:26 p.m.: Cruising right along, Morton tosses a 1-2-3 inning. Cabrera had a deep drive to center, but the Tigers otherwise went quietly.TOP 5th

8:22 p.m.: Verlander has a no-hitter going through five innings. He continues to dominate and has retired 14 in a row. The Pirates weren't able to get the ball out of the infield this inning.BOT 4th

8:14 p.m.: Kelly comes through with a two-out hit to drive home Avila. The Tigers are hitting well with runners in scoring position for a change.8:07 p.m.: Delmon Young crushes an inside pitch from Morton, sending it for a long home run to left field. Avila and Boesch follow with back-to-back hits, and the Tigers are in business.TOP 4th

8:04 p.m.: Verlander has retired 11 in a row and still has yet to allow a hit. He already has six strikeouts after getting Andrew McCutchen and Alvarez to end the inning.BOT 3rd

7:58 pm.: Morton responds with a 1-2-3 inning of his own, striking out Cabrera and Fielder.TOP 3rd

7:51 p.m.: Through three innings, Verlander has yet to give up a hit. He's making it look easy thus far after another 1-2-3 inning.BOT 2nd

7:44 p.m.: Jhnonny Peralta led off with a base-hit, but Ryan Raburn continues to struggle and hit into a double play. Don Kelly struck out to end the inning.TOP 2nd

7:36 p.m.: Verlander makes quick work of the Pirates with a 1-2-3 inning.BOT 1st

7:30 p.m.: Brennan Boesch strikes out to end the inning, but the Tigers grab the early lead.7:27 p.m.: Morton throws a wild pitch that hits home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor near the collarbone area, and he's staying in the game and smiling after being examined. There are now runners at the corners after Alex Avila walked with two out. Fielder is at third base after the wild pitch.7:21 p.m.: Prince Fielder follows with a double of his own, driving in Cabrera. The Tigers are getting to Charlie Morton early.7:20 p.m.: Miguel Cabrera gives the Tigers the lead with a double off the left-centerfield wall, driving home Andy Dirks, who reached with a one-out base-hit.TOP 1st

7:15 p.m.: Justin Verlander starts the game by walking Neil Walker with one out, but strikes out Pedro Alvarez to end the inning.

PREGAME

The Tigers open interleague play with Justin Verlander on the mound to start a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park.

Detroit is going through a rough stretch in which it has lost three of its last four games and five of its last seven. The Tigers enter the game with the same record as the Pirates at two games under .500.

Verlander earned the win in each of his past two starts and hopes to put an end to the team's struggles. The offense, however, will have to do it without Austin Jackson, who is once again out of the lineup and day-to-day with an abdominal strain.